SUWON — Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said on the 27th that at least one resident of the province is among the South Koreans who have lost contact after massive floods struck Nepal, according to a post on the governor's Facebook account.
"Above all, I earnestly pray for the safe return of those who are missing," the governor said, adding: "I also extend my deepest condolences to the families who are anxiously waiting for news."
The governor said the central government plans to urgently dispatch a joint rapid response team made up of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Fire Agency and the Korean National Police Agency. "Conditions for rescue operations on the ground are difficult, but I have asked them to devote all their capabilities to the search and rescue effort," the governor said.
The governor pledged to confirm the safety of provincial residents and to take all possible measures if support is needed.
Large-scale floods and landslides hit the Himalayan mountain region of north-central Nepal the previous day, killing at least 160 people and leaving 403 missing, including 341 foreign nationals.
Nine South Koreans remain unreachable, while another 10 were briefly stranded but are now safe, according to reports.
